Eisenkot Rejects Netanyahu's Unity Government Offer as Political Maneuver

Gadi Eisenkot, head of the Yamina party, on Saturday evening rejected Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for unity government negotiations, labeling it a "media maneuver" and a "repeated political trick." Eisenkot stated that Netanyahu was aware of a pre-scheduled negotiation meeting between Yamina and Likud teams for Sunday. He characterized Netanyahu's invitation to negotiate after a meeting was already set as a "usual periodic trick."

Eisenkot accused Netanyahu of feigning a desire for unity while continuing to incite division and disrespect official Knesset occasions. "A nice try, but these tricks won't work on me or on the citizens of Israel," Eisenkot declared.

Eisenkot reiterated his conditions for joining a future government, emphasizing that Netanyahu knows the terms for joining an emergency government led by Eisenkot. These terms include recognizing Eisenkot's principles and separating from "extremists." He asserted that Netanyahu lost the election and faces a majority against him in public opinion and the Knesset, thus engaging in a "delaying battle" to obstruct a new government and prevent the replacement of the Knesset speaker.

Eisenkot identified Tuesday as a "real test" for the seriousness of Likud and the Religious Zionism party regarding political partnership, with the Knesset speaker election scheduled for that day. He urged them to allow a proper democratic process and support the candidate of the "Change and Reform parties," Knesset Member Matan Kahana.

Eisenkot concluded by stating he is working to form a national emergency government as quickly as possible, leaving it to Likud to prove its sincerity or reveal its actions as an empty political maneuver.